Automobile signal device



Patented May 29, 192s.

s'rArEs HILO C. MRRILL, F FLAXTON, NORTH-DAKOTA.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL DEVICE.

Applieatin ined April 1,

My invention relates to improvements in devlces for signaling from an automobile,

such as a sedan, the intention of the driver to make a turn, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements -herein described and claimed. y

An object of my invention is to provide a device which maybe operated by vacuum action created by the engine of the automobile, and which may be controlled manually to furnish a positive means for projecting a signal into view and also a positive means for returning it to its initial position.

further object is to provide a device of the type described which can be readily applied to automobiles, .such 'as sedans, and which is designed to be located underneath the projecting visor of the roof of the car, where it is inconspicuous.

A further object is to provide a simple device which is positive in action and which is not liable to easily get out of order.

Dther objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features ofthe invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a'view, partly in section, show ingdthe manner in which the device is operate k Figure 2 is a front view of an automobile' having my improved safety signal device,

Figure 3 is an enlarged section along the line 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is an enlarged section along the line 4 4 of Figure 1.

In carrying outmyinvention, I make use of an arm 1, such as that shown in Figure 1,

the end of the arm being formed in the shape of an arrowhead 2. As will be seen from Figure 4, the arm is preferably formed of two bowed strips 3 and 4 of aluminum or 4B similar light material, these strips being secured to ether atv their abutting edges. 0n the insira of thechamber formed bythese strips are disposed sheets 5, such as Celluloid, colored red. Both faces of the arm have punched or cut therefrom letters 6 to form the word Turn or similar legend. The metal is also cut to form an arrow 7, the purpose being'to provide a'signal which can be observed at night when the interior is illuminated by any suitable 4means not shown. The arm lgs connected with al slidable bar 1927. serial No. 185,215.

8 having grooves 9 in its upper and lower surfaces. This bar is designed to slide in an opening 10 in a block 11, which may be made of Wood or other suitable material. The block, as will be observed, has a V-shaped groove 111 and is provided with a cover portion 12 having a groove 12a. This cover portion may be secured to the block by means of screws 13. Balls 14 are disposed in the registering grooves, as shown in Figure 4, thus providing anti-friction means for permitting the bar 8 to slide freely.

The lower part of the block is provided with a cylindrical bore 15 in which is disposed a piston 16 having a piston rod 17 which extends through the block toward the signal. At one end of the block is a plug 18 having a packing chamber 19 therein. This plug is screwed into the end of the block, as

. shown, and a second plug 20 is provided by means of which the packing may be come` pressed about the plunger 17, which, as shown, extends through both plugs 18 and 20. The end of the plunger 17 is reduced, as shown at 21, and passes through the bore 22 of a block 23 which fits in between the sides 3 and 4. The end of the portion 21 has a nut 24 which holdsthe plunger to the block 23. The bar 8 is firmly secured to the block 23 so as to support the signal entirely from the bar, the bore 22 in the block 23 being of such a size as to freely admit the reduced portion 21 so that all the weight is on the bar 8 and none on the plunger rod 17 or its reduced portion 21.

In order to operate the signal, I provide a valve 25 having ports 26, 27, 28 and 29. The port 26 communicates with one end of the bore 15 by means of a pipe 30. The port 28 communicates with the opposite end of the bore 15 by means of a pipe 31, while a pipe 32 leads from the port 29 to a vacuum A tank 33.

From the foregoing descri tion of the various parts 4of the device, t e operatlon Ythereof maybe readily understood. vThe valve 25 isI shown diagrammatically. Assuming that the signal is in the position shown in Figure 1 and that it is desired to indicate to an approaching driver the desire ofthe` operator of the vehicle to turn, he rotates the portion 34 of the valve so as to bring the ports 28 and 29 into communication through the passage 35. The vacuum created in the vacuum tank will cause the air to enter through the port 27, passage 36 and pass by the pipe to the bore 15, thus pushing the piston 16 ahead of it and causing the arm bearing the legend to be moved to the left in Figure l, the air Within the bore 15 infront of the piston being forced out through the pipe 31 and the'passages 28 and l29 into the tank 33. Now in rotating the valve to bring the ports 26 and 29 into registration and the ports 27 and 28 into registration, the vacuum will be lapplied to the opposite end of the cylinder and the air pressure entering the port 27 will cause the reverse movement of the piston and the retraction of the signal. It Will thu's be seen that by merely manipulating the valve 25 lthe positive operation of the signal in 4either direction is effected. Since the bar 8 is on ball bearings, there is Very little friction on the part which supports the signal, While, as stated, the Weight of the signal arm is taken off from the plunger rod 17 so that there is no tendency for the signal to hang, due to friction on the plunger rod.

While l have shown the preferred form i' of the device as comprising a block into which the bar 8 slides, it will be obvious that any other suitable form of casing might be used Without departing from the splrit.

of 4the invention.

I claim:

1. An automobile signal comprising a casing, a bar slidably carried in the casing, a signal supported at one end of said bar, a cylinder in said casing, a piston in said cylinder, a piston rod connected with said Slgnal, and means for causing the reciprocation'of the piston to niove said signal away vfrom and toward said casing. 

